First print after 17 years

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After a very long hiatus, I've finally put together a humble darkroom, and here's the first print. It's a random grab from a recent rip to Disney World.

I've tried the digiprint road for the past two years, and I've got to say that this is so much more satisfying for two fundamental reasons: 1) the feeling of accomplishment and of creating something lasting and 2) finally (finally) getting a print without a green hue.

The notion that the species can be improved in some way, that everyone could live in harmony, is a really dangerous idea. Those who are afflicted with this notion are the first ones to give up their souls, their freedom. Your desire that it be that way will enslave you and make your life vacuous.

I hear ya. I too toyed with the pixel polishing for about a year and a half. Still did film but not the four or five rolls a week I had been doing since 96. Then a week ago, because I got to speak briefly with Alan Ross and it made me think, WTF have I been doing? I got the HBlad out of the bag when I got home, set it on the tripod and let it ream me out for the next couple of hours for being neglectful, mixed some chemicals, and spent all night in the darkroom, which is my living room, but it's always been that way. Next day, I "dropped" my ex girlfriends 3 MP digital off the tower as an experiment then promptly sold my Olympus 8 mp. Freed up some harddrive space on the PowerBook by removing PS but kept elements for use on my new website when I get around to it. I feel so much better.

What a great story Ranger Bob. Now that's taking action. I've still got my scanner around for the larger negatives...after I get the hang of my focomat, I perhaps I'll be brave enough to go all the way and pick up a D2 or some other 4x5 enlarger, kissing photoshop goodbye in the process.

As a postscript on my continuing learning curve, I've now identified what appears to be a chip or some other flaw in the condenser, which puts a lovely spot in the same spot in all of my prints. I'll pull it out for a cleaning tomorrow and try again. Wish me luck!

Doesn't look like you lost anything after 17 years. Those images look great and I imagine the prints are even better.

Awhile back I got past the whole digital vs. traditional debate. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. What it comes down to is which process brings the most enjoyment in achieving the final result. For myself, I could probably make excellent prints in a more simplified way through digital means, but it always seems like drudgery sitting in front of a computer instead of being in the darkroom.

"Fundamentally I think we need to rediscover a non-ironic world"
Robert Adams

Hi,
Very nice image. I have just now been able to resume film processing after 8 years per my
MD, provided I only use my Jobo processor and don't have open trays. So, I am developing film and scanning the negs. I am using TMY and Delta 400 in 120 for the time being. Here is an image I developed and scanned a few days ago.

Hi,
Very nice image. I have just now been able to resume film processing after 8 years per my MD, provided I only use my Jobo processor and don't have open trays. So, I am developing film and scanning the negs. I am using TMY and Delta 400 in 120 for the time being.

Click to expand...

Dave:

The Jobo tubes, or even Beseler or Unicolour tubes, do a great job on prints as well.

You lose the benefit of seeing the image appearing in the tray , but you gain the benefit of doing all the "wet" part of the process in the light and with an open window (and in my case, I have a great view through the kitchen window).

The prints are just as exciting (or just as disappointing, if I did them wrong) when they come out of the tubes.

If your concern is standing for long periods of time, I know I have worked in darkrooms using chairs or stools.

Just some suggestions that might help you continue the fun.

Matt

Matt

Photography is a complex and fluid medium, and its many factors are not applied in simple sequence. Rather, the process may be likened to the art of the juggler in keeping many balls in the air at one time!

Ansel Adams, from the introduction to The Negative - The New Ansel Adams Photography Series / Book 2

Hi Matt,
I was a Jobo/Ilford/Kodak beta tester for several years and also had a custom (pro-mainly fashion photographers) lab for nearly 20 years before retiring. The exposure to the various chemical processes caused the deteriation of the skin on my hands to the point that nearly anything I touched would peel the skin on my hands, even though I normally wore rubber gloves at the end.

So now I can develop film, scan and print (shudder) with an ink jet Epson 1270. I sold all my Chromega D5 XL's several years ago, plus my 8 x 10 Elwood. I did keep one of my
Jobo CPP2's and finally fired it up a week ago. MD will monitor me periodically to see how I am doing to make sure I am OK.

Yes, I do have and use a swivel chair--my darkroom is now also my computer room.

This evening I had a conversationwith my wife (2nd marriage for both of us, 4 years ago) about how much I miss the darkroom. She just didn't realize what it meant to me as I haven't had it since we've been married. So I can really appreciate the pleasure you guys are getting out of this.